Shotgun "Slugs", are essentially the most powerful shell you can buy for your shotgun in terms of raw force. Rather than having pellets, like Birdshot or Buckshot, it is one large piece of lead - and that's it. Slugs generally have high recoil, but are very accurate, and leave a large hole.The Purpose:
The point of using a slug is typically to take down even the largest game with one well-placed shot. Although the feet per second of the projectile varies, you can see in the picture above - the shell features a rifled (Much more accurate) piece of lead that hits at 1760 feet per second, and then (due to the hollow point) flattens to create an even LARGER hole. That, is the purpose of a slug! However, they are used sparingly in current times due to:
1.) PRICE. In the state of California (Oh dear), 5 12GA. Slugs (2 3/4") sell for $6+
2.) Significantly high recoil - Unless you're an avid shotgun shooter (and even still...), these suckers hurt!
However, despite the cost and recoil - these things are beautiful and will get the job done every time. (Of course, what shell won't?!)
The Effect:
This is the effect of hollow-point slugs at 25 yards. (5 slugs fired - note that one went through the previous hole!)
Many people think that due to this accuracy (One point being hit by one piece of lead) has minimal effect on a target, however - this is completely untrue.
As an attempt to show the community the effect of a slug, without providing images of hunting (Blood, etc.) - Here is a video of a shotgun slug using a high speed camera. You can definitely see the effectiveness!:
Multiple things can factor into the spread as well, such as:
1.) Barrel length
2.) Chokes (Tighter or wider shot patterns)
3.) Rifled Bores (Cannot fire shot as it will ruin the rifling, but extremely accurate and used for hunting big game with only slugs)
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But essentially, this is what "Slugs" looks like, and what kind of effect they have.
More articles on the way! Stay tuned, Shotgunners!
